But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

PSALMS 5:11KJV
Know the Bible

Psalms 5:11 (KJV)

What does Psalms 5:11 mean?

Psalms 5:11 describes how everyone who trusts in God can be glad and celebrate, because God protects them and gives them reason to be joyful. The verse also highlights that those who love God’s name can find happiness in Him.

King David is speaking to God in this psalm, asking for God’s help against his enemies. In this verse, David shifts from asking for help to expressing confidence that God will defend those who rely on Him. The verse uses joyful language to show the deep sense of safety and happiness that comes from trusting and loving God.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 5:11

  • The word for "trust" is חָסָה (chasah), which often means to seek refuge or take shelter. This word pictures people running to God for safety, like someone finding shelter from a storm.
  • "Rejoice" is שָׂמַח (samach), which means to be glad or to experience deep happiness. This word shows that trusting God is not just about safety, but also about real joy.
  • "Defendest" is סָכַךְ (sakhakh), which means to cover or protect, like putting a shield over someone. This highlights God’s active role in guarding those who trust Him.
  • "Name" is שֵׁם (shem), which in Hebrew thinking often stands for a person’s character or reputation. Loving God’s name means loving who God is, not just His title.

Why Psalms 5:11 matters

  • Psalms 5:11 makes clear that trusting God leads not just to protection, but to real joy and celebration, correcting the idea that faith is only about endurance or survival.
  • The verse emphasizes that God’s defense is personal and active, not distant or automatic, which deepens the sense of relationship between God and those who trust Him.
  • By connecting joy with loving God’s name, the verse ties emotional well-being to a genuine relationship with God, not just outward actions or rituals.

Where else these words appear

“joyful” Hebrew H5970 · used in 8 verses

  • 1 Samuel 2:1 And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.
  • Psalms 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
  • Psalms 68:3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

“defendest” Hebrew H5526 · used in 23 verses

  • Exodus 25:20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.
  • 1 Kings 8:7 For the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.
  • Psalms 140:7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

“trust” Hebrew H2620 · used in 36 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:37 And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted,
  • Psalms 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
  • Psalms 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

“joy” Hebrew H7442 · used in 52 verses

  • Leviticus 9:24 And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.
  • Psalms 84:2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
  • Isaiah 24:14 They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea.